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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by happykat on November 25, 2006, at 11:25:40
Has anyone ever done EMDR for ptsd and has it been effective?
Do you discuss/reexperience the traumatic memory during EMDR?
Posted by ClearSkies on November 25, 2006, at 12:39:20
In reply to Do You Have To Revisit Memories for EMDR?, posted by happykat on November 25, 2006, at 11:25:40
> Has anyone ever done EMDR for ptsd and has it been effective?
>
> Do you discuss/reexperience the traumatic memory during EMDR?
>
>I have had EMDR treatment for ptsd. What we focused on were the emotions I felt during the trauma(s); not the memories themselves. I don't know if this is the standard for EMDR therapy or not; but it removed a lot of the fears I had about undergoing EMDR.
If you are considering having EMDR, part of the process is a series of pre-treatment evaluations and discussions about it. I had at least 4 appointments before going through several EMDR sessions. The treatment, which is finite and has a starting and ending, helped me invaluably. (That in itself was reassuring - that I wouldn't have to do the process for months on end.)ClearSkies
Posted by happykat on November 25, 2006, at 13:40:03
In reply to Re: Do You Have To Revisit Memories for EMDR? » happykat, posted by ClearSkies on November 25, 2006, at 12:39:20
Thanks for the info. It was suggested as something I might want to try. I was a little fearful of what the memory aspect might entail. The way you describe it doesn't seem too bad.
Did it help? Is it the sort of thing that takes the emotional charge out of the experience and reduces the symptoms so you can process it better in therapy or does it actually resolve the trauma completely?
Did you do any other specific therapy for ptsd?
Thanks :)
Happy Kat
Posted by happykat on November 25, 2006, at 13:40:09
In reply to Re: Do You Have To Revisit Memories for EMDR? » happykat, posted by ClearSkies on November 25, 2006, at 12:39:20
Thanks for the info. It was suggested as something I might want to try. I was a little fearful of what the memory aspect might entail. The way you describe it doesn't seem too bad.
Did it help? Is it the sort of thing that takes the emotional charge out of the experience and reduces the symptoms so you can process it better in therapy or does it actually resolve the trauma completely?
Did you do any other specific therapy for ptsd?
Thanks :)
Happy Kat
Posted by ClearSkies on November 25, 2006, at 17:06:49
In reply to Re: EMDRClearSkies, posted by happykat on November 25, 2006, at 13:40:09
> Thanks for the info. It was suggested as something I might want to try. I was a little fearful of what the memory aspect might entail. The way you describe it doesn't seem too bad.
>
> Did it help? Is it the sort of thing that takes the emotional charge out of the experience and reduces the symptoms so you can process it better in therapy or does it actually resolve the trauma completely?
>It helped me take the emotional charge that the trauma holds for me way down, to a managable level. It allowed me to address the way that I deal with stressors overall. It also helped me have compassion for the person I was at the time of the trauma - I thought that I was just "dealing with it" - when in fact, I was actually doing a darn good job of getting myself through one moment and on to the next.
It's my understanding that it's not unusual for someone to repeat EMDR (the thought of which I find somehow comforting).
> Did you do any other specific therapy for ptsd?
>My therapy has not specifically dealt with the trauma, except in the general effect it has had on me. Revisiting the events themselves time and again doesn't contribute to my recovery from them (as my therapist has explained it to me).
> Thanks :)
> Happy Kat
>ClearSkies
Posted by SatinDoll on November 25, 2006, at 18:22:31
In reply to Do You Have To Revisit Memories for EMDR?, posted by happykat on November 25, 2006, at 11:25:40
Hi happykat!
I also suffered from PTSD about 2 years ago, and my T did EMDR on me just once, and it was a huge catalyst in my recovery. I no longer suffer from PTSD, which was a huge relief.
When I did EMDR, I had to focus on the memory either by "seeing" as a show on TV or just thinking of what was happening. But it only last a few minutes, and the intense feelings disapate rather quickly. At the end of one session, I felt just sad, but not frightened. It even works if you don't tell your T what the memory is, which is great in cases where it is too embarrassing to talk about the details.
Now I don't want to scare you, but what happened next with me was rare, most people don't experience this. But your brain will continue to process things even hours later, and sometimes, very rarely, it will bring to surface a even worse memory that might have been surpressed. Surpressed memories are rare usually because most people remember something bad happening to them VERY well, so EMDR bringing out this is even more rare.
I mostly cried all night because I had to except the surpressed memory as what DID happen to me, but mainly it was I had to come to terms with that yes, I was an abused child. My T got me in right away the next day to calm me down. He said out of the 200 people he was treated with EMDR, what happened to me only happended to one other person.
But the change was amazing really, and I don't believe in such voodoo stuff. LOL But it is becoming more reconized as being very helpful in treating PTSD. Good Luck, I hope the best for you. By the way, is it your T that is going to do the EMDR, or another person?
Posted by HappyKat on November 26, 2006, at 8:37:22
In reply to Re: Do You Have To Revisit Memories for EMDR? » happykat, posted by SatinDoll on November 25, 2006, at 18:22:31
SatinDoll,
Thanks for your post :) I'm glad that you don't have to actually discuss to have it work. My T isn't trained so it would be another LCSW across town.
Your experience sounds intense!! Actually traumatic in and of itself. Nothing like going for some ptsd treatment and ending up further traumatized. Ouch! :(
I'm happy to know that it helped and made a difference. It sounds like it will be worth a try. Thanks for sharing with me.
HappyKat :)
Posted by HappyKat on November 26, 2006, at 8:57:27
In reply to Re: EMDRClearSkies, posted by ClearSkies on November 25, 2006, at 17:06:49
ClearSkies,
I like the thought of having compassion for the part of me that experienced the trauma. I haven't even wanted to own that part of myself. Maybe this will help me find a little more peace.
Thanks for sharing :)
HappyKat
Posted by happykat on November 26, 2006, at 19:49:31
In reply to Re: EMDR SatinDoll, posted by HappyKat on November 26, 2006, at 8:37:22
Hi SatinDoll,
I've been thinking about your post all day. It actually struck a chord with me. I've had some experiences with bodywork where things came up for me and it was overwhelming. It's actually something that has been in the back of my head since I found this site. I have been a little afraid to post anything on topic but after reading/researching the site I think its safe. I hope its safe.
I'm just sooo relieved by what I'm reading on this site. Like I'm not totally out of my mind, maybe just partially. LOL :)
Thanks,
HappyKat
Posted by SatinDoll on November 26, 2006, at 20:36:09
In reply to Re: EMDR for SatinDoll, posted by happykat on November 26, 2006, at 19:49:31
Hi HappyKat,
I read your latest post about what you are doing with crainal (I don't know the spelling). It is intersting that you brought this up because someone suggested this for me for my arithritis of the neck. I didn't know it was a treatment for other things. In fact the lady that I was recommended who does it, is also a T. Now that makes sense. But wow, it sure seems intense. I would like to know more about it.
I don't know your history, but mine included some severe mental, physical and neglect that happened during my childhood. In fact I believe I am actually luckey to be alive .
Well anyways, the intense feelings that came up was a good thing, and at the time I had my husband to support me through the night before I saw my T. Do you have any support like that? Now keep in mind what happened to me is rare. But bringing those memories to the surface, was like a catalyst in my healing. I couldn't deny it anylonger. But I think since I am an adult now, I can handle it better, it is safer for me now.
I have been reading some books today that I got from the library from Alice Smith and a book called Adult CHildren of Abusive Parents by Steven Farmer, and wow, I can't believe how enlightening it is. But in both books it talks about finally admitting that yes, you were abused is the first major step to recovery. In fact according to one of the books I have progressed pretty far in my recovery. But the book by Farmer discribes how a normal family opperates in many situations, how an abusive family opperates, and the signs of the adult who experienced the abusive family. It was so amazing on how it discribed many situation of what I went through and my personality now today because of it. It also has a plan on how to "reparent" yourself and teach yourself the things that were not taught to you as a child. Then there is a section that teaches you how to be a parent to your kids.
Well I guess I am babbling away here, but I guess I am excited about reading that I am normal for an abused child.
I am glad you are feeling more comfortable with the site, it is a good one. ;-)
Posted by muffled on November 26, 2006, at 22:26:46
In reply to Re: EMDR for SatinDoll » happykat, posted by SatinDoll on November 26, 2006, at 20:36:09
thats been in a abusive family?
If you don't mind lazy me asking....
Thanks Satin.
Hope you doin ok?
Muffled
Posted by happykat on November 27, 2006, at 11:36:43
In reply to Re: EMDR for SatinDoll » happykat, posted by SatinDoll on November 26, 2006, at 20:36:09
Hi SatinDoll,
Craniosacral therapy is used for a variety of different conditions including neck/back probs,tmj,adhd,ptsd and autism. Most CST's train through the Upledger Institute in Florida. There is alot of good info on their website, www.upledger.com.
I started doing cranio for infertility and had body memory and other feelings and issues coming up for me then my dad died and I was flooded with childhood memories and cranio took a backseat to psychotherapy.
> Well anyways, the intense feelings that came up was a good thing, and at the time I had my husband to support me through the night before I saw my T. Do you have any support like that?I've been with the same guy 10 years. I haven't told him about any of this and don't plan on it. I'm so afraid he will reject me if he knew. I don't have any close friends just business friendships and there is no way I can deal with my family now. I've had a few meltdowns but have managed to lock myself in the guestroom with the 'flu' so that I could decompress privately. I had major episode of depression 15 yrs. ago ended up hospitalized had pdoc and T but refused to cooperate in therapy. My biggest fear is that I'm going to lose control and become severely depressed.
I just get emotionally numb when things get stressful. I can't take xanax because I'm trying to get pregnant. (Great timing on that) And I'm in late 30's so I can't postpone preg either. I just want to scream sometimes. AAARRRRRRRRGGGGG!
I am so sorry to hear about your childhood. Your childhood sounds very traumatic. I am very glad you made it out alive! :) It sucks that we have to spend so much time, money and energy undoing
the harm.I'm going to check out the books you recommended. They sound great. I've got so many concerns about becoming a mother it would be nice to reparent and get myself properly grown before I bring a child into the world.
Thanks so much for lending an ear.
happykat :)
>
>
Posted by happykat on November 27, 2006, at 17:29:42
In reply to Re: EMDR for SatinDoll » happykat, posted by SatinDoll on November 26, 2006, at 20:36:09
SatinDoll,
Oops!! I wish there was a takeback button. I'm sorry for going off the rails and unloading.:(
I forgot to add that craniosacral therapy is actually usually relaxing. I think there are different techniques used for ptsd than for neck problems. I've used cranio for back problems and it helped a great deal. I'd be interested in hearing what you think if you have it done.
Thanks,
happykat :)
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